Wing hosts memorial service Published Dec. 14, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Anthony Le 178th Wing SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The 178th Wing held a memorial service for Capt. Matthew W. Thorpe at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 6. Thorpe, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was with the 178th Wing since 2001 until he unexpectedly passed away during summer 2016 of natural causes. Many people who worked with Thorpe attended the memorial and shared fond memories of him. The 178th Wing commander, Col. John F. Knabel said that Thorpe was an outstanding officer. "He had a passion for helping others and a vision to do it better," said Knabel. "Matt taught us how to be a family again and pull together to help each other in time of need." "He touched so many people's lives in a positive manner and I am a better person for knowing him," said Chief Master Sgt. Michelle Francis, the 126th Intelligence Squadron Superintendent. The memorial service was a way for the 178th Wing to show support for the family of its fallen member. "The guard is a family and, even when people don't realize it, we are a family out here and we take care of each other," said 1st Lt. Randi L. Daoud, the executive officer of the 178th Wing. "We do everything we can to help, no matter what it is." Mary Thorpe, mother of Capt. Thorpe, said she was moved by what was shared at the service, and that she learned a lot of things about her son that she did not know. Thorpe is survived by his wife, Kate, and his children Caleb, Avery and Evan.